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Motivation Monday {and healthier banana bread}

Happy Monday peeps! It is a cloudy and rainy one here in the ‘Noog, but this is fine by me because following along behind the rain is some cool weather. Fall is coming. Get ready!

This was a really good week for me exercise wise. Diet wise? Ehh. Truth be told I ate really crappy this week. I was craving carbs and starches something fierce and I had a bagel three different mornings, pasta a couple nights, pizza, sandwiches, ice cream, etc. Plus I had a decent amount of wine throughout the week. We ate out more than normal, which usually means I’m not eating as clean. Matt and I were talking last night about how we both fell off the wagon a little last week, and agreed to clean it up this coming week. I was back to my hard boiled eggs and chia seed pudding this morning and I pre-packed a healthy salad with salmon for lunch. I made a yummy Paleo inspired banana bread (recipe below!) for when I’m craving a sweet afternoon snack, plus lots of fresh fruit. I carted in a huge shopping bag this morning, full of healthy eats. For me it’s all about easy access. If I keep healthy foods on hand, I’ll almost always eat them when hunger strikes. It’s when I don’t plan ahead and stock my snack drawer that I fall into temptation and grab things from the cafeteria.

Tuesday 8/9: 15 minutes on the treadmill (6.0 mph), 30 minute Step class and a little bit of core work

Wednesday 8/10: 60 minute Orangetheory Fitness class

Thursday 8/11: 50 minute walk outside along the river

Friday 8/12: 60 minute Orangetheory Fitness class

Saturday 8/13: 7 mile run EARLY that morning. I signed up for a half marathon next month, and while I plan to wing it for the most part, I guess I need to try and build up my mileage somewhat…

Sunday 8/14: Was feeling pretty lazy (and sore) today, but mustered up some energy to head out and walk around the neighborhood for 45 minutes. Was so happy I did it after the fact. Truth is I absolutely could have taken the day off completely given my strong workouts this past week, but I’m a firm believer that some exercise every.single.day. is really good for you. This does not mean you have to get after it every day, but at least go for a walk, do some yoga, take a leisurely bike ride. Just move. No one ever says, “Man, I wish I hadn’t exercised today.”;)

I made this Banana Bread recipe yesterday and it’s pretty tasty. I did not have almond flour on hand, so I subbed oat flour and it still worked fine. The almond flour probably would have given it a nuttier flavor and would have kept it strict Paleo, but this recipe is still much cleaner than most banana bread recipes.

Ingredients:

¾ cup almond flour (I used oat flour, but use almond to keep it Paleo)

¼ coconut flour

¾ teaspoon baking soda

¾ teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

¼ teaspoon nutmeg

2 tablespoons melted coconut oil

2 large eggs

2-3 very ripe bananas, mashed

¼ cup maple syrup

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and lightly grease a 9×5 loaf pan. Whisk together dry ingredients (flour through the nutmeg). In a separate bowl, mix together wet ingredients (oil through vanilla). Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and mix until combined. Do not over mix. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean. Let pan cool for 15’ish minutes and then remove loaf and let cool completely on a wire rack. Enjoy!